by Robert Dodsley (1704 - 1764)
The Imaginary Kiss
Language: English
When Fanny I saw as she tript o'er the green, Fair, blooming, soft, artless and kind; Fond love in her eyes, wit and sense in her mien, And warmness with modesty join'd: Transported with sudden amazement I stood, Fast riveted down to the place; Her delicate shape, easy motion I view'd, And wander'd o'er every grace. Ye gods! what luxuriance of beauty, I cry, What raptures must dwell in her arms! On her lips I could feast, on her breast I could die, O Fanny, how sweet are thy charms! Whilst thus in idea my passion I fed, Soft transport my senses invade, Young Damon step'd up, with the substance he fled, And left me to kiss the dear shade.
Confirmed with Trifles, by Robert Dodsley, published by Dodsley and printed at Tully's Head in Pall-mall 1745, Pages 202-209.
Authorship:
- by Robert Dodsley (1704 - 1764), "The Imaginary Kiss", appears in Trifles, in Colin's Kisses, Oswald?, London 1743, first published 1743 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by James Oswald (1710 - 1769), "The Imaginary Kiss", published 1743 [ voice, continuo ], from Colin's Kisses, no. 2, Confirmed with Colin's Kisses, unknown publisher, possibly Oswald, London 1743. [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2021-06-20
Line count: 16
Word count: 120